Chipotle Chicken Street Tacos with Avocado Crema

Serves 4 · 20 min prep · 20 min cook

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
• 1 tbsp adobo sauce from can
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1.25 tsp kosher salt
• 12 small corn tortillas
• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1/3 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup white onion, finely diced
• 1/3 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• for serving lime wedges

Instructions

1. 1In a medium bowl, whisk together minced chipotles, adobo sauce, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat thoroughly. Marinate at room temperature 15 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the fridge).
2. 2Make the avocado crema: In a small bowl or blender, mash or blend the avocado with sour cream, remaining lime juice, cilantro, and salt until smooth and pourable. Add a splash of water if needed. Refrigerate until serving.
3. 3Heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add remaining olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
4. 4Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side without moving too much, until well charred in spots and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board and rest 5 minutes.
5. 5While chicken rests, warm the corn tortillas: heat a dry skillet over medium heat 20–30 seconds per side until pliable and lightly toasted, or wrap in a damp towel and microwave 45 seconds. Keep warm in a clean towel.
6. 6Chop the rested chicken into small bite-size pieces. Taste and sprinkle with a pinch more salt if needed.
7. 7Build tacos: spread a spoonful of avocado crema on each warm tortilla, top with chopped chipotle chicken, diced white onion, remaining cilantro, and crumbled cotija.
8. 8Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing. Double-stack tortillas if they are thin so they hold the filling without tearing.